Water and Sanitation as Human Rights

OHCHR – Regional Office for EuropeJuly 2010

Water and sanitation in international human rights law

• Explicit references in CRC, CEDAW, CPRD.• Implicit references in ICCPR and ICESCR

though other human rights (adequate standard of living, housing, health, food, life, torture)

• Explicit references in principles, guidelines, declarations, resolutions, expert documents.

• + Humanitarian and environmental treaties

Scope of safe drinking water obligations

• Quantity?• Quality?• Access? – Equitable access– Physical access– Economic access (affordability)

Scope of sanitation obligations

• Definition• Quantity?• Quality?• Access?– Equitable access– Physical access– Economic access (affordability)

• Acceptability

Nature of human rights obligations

• Duty bearers• Obligations– Respect– Protect– Fulfill

Conclusion: Added value of human rights perspective

• Non-discrimination, participation and accountability

• From charity to empowerment• Needs of vulnerable in focus• Holistic vision of access• Makes prioritization easier

http://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/Pages/HumanRightsBodies.aspx